Confirmed … The Jaw Bone Found in Aruba Does Not Belong to Natalee Holloway (Update: Official Statement)

BREAKING NEWS ARUBA …

It has been confirmed by Aruba officials this afternoon, the jaw bone found recently on the beach near the Phoenix Hotel DOES NOT belong to Natalee Holloway. The long awaited answer that was thought to provide some clarity to the mystery of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway … remains a mystery.

Authorities said dental records used to compare the small amount of the DNA on the bone did not match.

“Based on dental records, it can be ruled out that the bone fragment came from Natalee Holloway,” the Aruban Prosecutor’s Office siad in a statement.

UPDATE I: Natalee Holloway: Jawbone Not That of Missing American Teen

“The bone appeared to have been exposed to various (weather) influences and proved to be porous,” the statement read.

For the time being, the forensics team has stopped working to test the DNA.

“There is still a possibility that the molar from the jawbone could be used for further efforts to generate a DNA profile,” the statement read. “However, this follow-up study of said molar would inhibit future research into identifying the person from whom the bone originates.”

It is believed a recent hurricane may have stirred up the beach, leading tourists to find the bone outside a hotel.

UPDATE II: Official Statement from Aruba:

Bone material not of Natalee Holloway

At the request of the Aruban Public Prosecutor’s Office the Netherlands Forensic Institute has conducted forensic anthropological and DNA investigations on bone material, a piece of jawbone with a tooth. These investigations were executed simultaneously. Detailed examination by the NFI excludes the possibility that the bone material found in Aruba is that of Natalee Holloway.

Exclusion after comparing dental records
It was, first, necessary to establish that the bone material was in fact human material. This is the case. Thus the forensic anthropological investigation was expanded to include an investigation by forensic odontologists. Using the dental records of Natalee Holloway, such as the location of wisdom teeth and fillings, a comparison was made with the jaw bone recovered on Aruba. Based on these comparisons it could be excluded that the investigated bone material and molar came from Natalee Holloway.

DNA testing
Along with the forensic anthropological and odontological research, the NFI initiated a forensic DNA investigation. However, only a very small amount of DNA material was present and that was also of low quality. The bone appeared to have been exposed to various (weather) influences and proved to be porous. DNA researchers at the NFI therefore have applied extensive and highly sophisticated techniques to the DNA present in the bone to be examined.

On the basis of the comparison of the dental records the possibility that the bone material came from Natalee Holloway was excluded, therefore further DNA testing has been stopped. There is still a possibility that the molar from the jawbone could be used for further efforts to generate a DNA profile. However this follow-up study of said molar would inhibit future research into identifying the person from whom the bone originates.

Given that, based on dental records, it can be ruled out that the bone fragment came from Natalee Holloway, the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Aruba has decided not yet to carry out further research on the material. The prosecution will decide what further action will be taken to identify the bone material.

Natalee Holloway Investigation
The Office of the Public Prosecutor in Aruba has been involved in an investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway since her dissapearance. The case retains the constant attention from law enforcement on the island.